Welcoming art enthusiasts from all corners, the West Bund Museum in Shanghai recently unveiled its riveting exhibition, “Mirrors of the Portrait.” This exceptional exhibit is the fruit of an ongoing collaboration between the Shanghai-based modern art museum and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, established in 2019.
“Mirrors of the Portrait” serves as a fascinating portal into the evolution of portraiture, exhibiting almost 300 art pieces spanning various periods. Visitors are invited to travel through time, beginning with avant-garde works from the 19th century and advancing to contemporary creations that depict how portraits have morphed and matured over the centuries.
Positioned elegantly on the museum’s second floor, two spacious galleries house the exhibit. Here, onlookers have the chance to delve into the creative genius of several renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Francis Bacon, Frantisek Kupka, and Zhang Xiaogang. The unique assembly of diverse styles, periods, and perspectives offers visitors a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression, encouraging comparisons and interpretations that contribute to the holistic viewing experience.
Among the many enthralling pieces displayed, the painting “Mona-Vinci” by Chinese artist Huang Yongping stands out as a star attraction. This remarkable work was born from a serendipitous encounter. Huang stumbled upon an image of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Mona Lisa” in a magazine, with a picture of da Vinci himself on the reverse page. When held against the light, the two images intriguingly overlapped, stirring Huang’s imagination and ultimately leading to the creation of “Mona-Vinci”.
The curator of the “Mirrors of the Portrait” exhibition, Frederic Paul, hopes to inspire viewers to break free from the conventional chronological narrative. He encourages an exploratory approach, urging visitors to perceive the portraits from a myriad of angles and perspectives. The plural term “mirrors” in the exhibition title, according to Paul, encapsulates their ambition for visitors to approach each exhibit with an open mind and discover their own interpretations.
This exhibition forms the third installment of a productive partnership between the West Bund Museum and the Centre Pompidou, preceded by “The Shape of Time” and “The Voice of Things.” These earlier exhibitions laid the foundation for a sustained dialogue between the two institutions, fostering a vibrant and enriching cultural exchange.
Set to run until November 5, 2024, “Mirrors of the Portrait” offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to witness the captivating evolution of portraiture art. It signifies a compelling exploration into the psyche of the artists and the societies they lived in, acting as a mirror reflecting their times. This exhibition promises a deeply immersive journey that is not only a visual feast but also a stimulating intellectual encounter.
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